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US President Donald Trump says Prince Harry “is not speaking for the UK” after the Duke of Sussex called for “American leadership” to help resolve the conflict in Ukraine.
Harry did not mention Trump by name during a surprise visit to Ukraine on Thursday, but said now is “a moment for America, to show that it can honour its international treaty obligations – not out of charity but out of its enduring role in global security and strategic stability.”
When asked about the remarks, Trump said it was “great advice” after asking: “How’s he doing? How’s his wife? Please give her my regards”.
“I think I am speaking for the UK more than Prince Harry,” he added.
Prince Harry’s unannounced trip to Ukraine came days after he left Australia, where he and wife Meghan, both no longer working royals, had visited in a private capacity.
“The United States has a singular role in this story. Not only because of its power, but because when Ukraine gave up nuclear weapons, America was part of the assurance that Ukraine’s sovereignty and borders would be respected,” Harry said.
The US president did not answer directly when asked if he would invite Harry to dinner during the state visit of King CharlesIII and Queen Camilla next week.
“He’s a friend of mine. We’re really looking forward to it. We’ve spoken and we’re going to have a great time,” Trump said about the King.
He added that the guests would be people who “love the UK”, and that he too loved the UK, before running through a quick list of what he thought the country needed to do.
“I think they made a big mistake on energy. You should open up the North Sea in Aberdeen. You should open it up,” he said.
“And the other thing is they’ve made a big mistake on immigration.”
Much has been made of the royal visit already, after Trump told the BBC it could “absolutely” mend relations with the UK, which have been damaged over the Iran war.
The BBC has approached the palace and the Foreign Office for comment.
